Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Mask: A Review
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As a long-term fan (albeit a slightly sceptical one) of my Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil, it was really only a matter of time until I caved and bought the brand’s Honey Infused Hair Mask to go alongside it.
With the same yummy scent as Gisou’s hair oil, this mask can actually be combined with the oil for a deep conditioning treatment. And since my own bleach-frazzled locks need all the help they can get, I was keen to check it out.
So how did I get on?
Image – Gisou
This is new, up-to-date information. We updated this article in April 2024 to add our further thoughts on Gisou’s mask, complete with updated prices.
The brand
Before I get to the good stuff (namely, is the mask any good and is it worth the money?), first some background.
Founded in 2015 by Instagrammer, shiny hair hero, and sixth-generation beekeeper (yes, really), Negin Mirsalehi, Gisou (a play on the French word for kiss, ‘bisou’) is inspired by the honey that her family has been producing for years.
Hydrating, anti-bacterial and full of antioxidants, honey has some fairly impressive skin and hair-nourishing properties, while Gisou’s focus on addictively-scented products and some seriously pretty packaging has made the brand an immediate favourite with beauty addicts.
Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Mask review
Containing a blend of honey, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, wheat protein and vitamin E, the mask also benefits from moisturising heroes passionflower seed oil and tiare seed oil.
While this mask doesn’t contain silicones it still has a soft texture that’s easy to apply to and comb through hair. And as another bonus, because it doesn’t have that slippy, silicone effect, I find this grips hair well; meaning I don’t need more than half a handful of this to work through my (very long, very thick) hair.
Image – Gisou
With a beautifully relaxing scent as this mask gets to work, after washing out the results are even more impressive: shiny, moisturised hair and overall stronger-feeling locks.
Are these results worth the price, however? And is there a cheaper dupe for this (admittedly very expensive) mask? While the answer to the first question really comes down to personal budget and taste (after all if you really love the scent and it’s unique to Gisou then the money may seem entirely reasonable), the answer to the second is a resounding yes.
Because while this is a lovely mask, there really are so many great alternatives out there that do a great job for (sometimes) half the price.
What does it smell like?
With a rich, warm, sweet scent that will keep you furtively sniffing your hair all day, the vibe here is all feminine and romantic (with a hint of floral too); and I’m in love with it.
And since the fragrance here is the same as the signature one in the rest of Gisou’s product lineup, if you’re already a fan of the brand’s hair oil or perfume, you’ll love this.
On the slight downside, the scent here does come from artificial fragrance; something which most hair and skin types will tolerate fine but very sensitive types may not get on with.
Image – Gisou
How to use it
So, there are a few ways to use this hair mask to get the most out of it. Gisou recommends:
- Applying to shampooed, towel-dried hair from roots to tips before leaving for 5 to 7 minutes and rinsing
- Using the same process as above but first mixing the mask with a few drops of the brand’s Honey Infused Hair Oil. Or
- Applying the mask to damp, combed hair before massaging into the scalp and covering with a hot towel for 15 minutes or even overnight
While these are all great suggestions, because I’m both greedy and have some fairly bleach-damaged strands, I like to combine suggestions two and three; adding some Honey Infused Hair Oil to the mask before leaving the concoction on hair for anything up to about half an hour.
For my own dry, damaged hair I like to use this mask a few times a week. How often you use a hair mask will depend on your own hair type though.
For more on Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Oil as a standalone product, take a look at our full review here.
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What other people have to say
This is a seriously popular cult product, with one customer on the Sephora US website saying “Incredible hair mask! Thick and rich, but doesn’t leave the hair gunky or heavy. In fact, my hair has more bounce now. Tried the travel size during the VIB sale, which should last a while as it’s a generous size. But I will be coming back for the full size.
“Smells wonderful too, but not too heavy. Leaves my hair beautifully conditioned, shiny and silky. And I put it to the test by first using a shampoo which typically leaves my hair feeling a little dry.”
Another says “I love this! I usually HAVE to use conditioner but with this it is the perfect alternative!! Leaves hair so soft and has an amazing scent!”
Some alternatives
For dry, damaged hair
Abril et Nature’s Instant Mask Sublime. Created by Spanish brand Abril et Nature, this line (despite its slightly terrible packaging) is one of my long-term favourites.
Good value and extremely effective, this hyaluronic acid-infused mask leaves my hair amazingly silky and also smells gorgeous (sweet and floral, like Gisou’s line).
For fine hair
Ouai’s Treatment Mask. Designed with hydration – not weight – in mind, this mask adds softness and shine to fine strands without the heaviness of other masks. It also smells beautiful (the same as the brand’s Rose Hair & Body Oil and Scalp & Body Scrub) – all rose and lychee.
For multiple hair issues
Function of Beauty’s Hair Mask. I’m a big fan of Function of Beauty’s custom approach to hair care and this completely personalised hair mask is no different.
Created from a quiz about your hair, this Function of Beauty mask contains a blend of ingredients brought together for your specific hair types, scalp type and hair goals (you can pick up to five, and I always go for straightening, shine, deep conditioning, anti-frizz and hydration goals).
You can browse a full review of this custom mask here.
Image – Function of Beauty
The takeaway
So overall, would I recommend Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Mask? Well, again I think it depends on what you’re looking for…
If you’re someone who adores luxe and can’t get enough of this scent, then the price here may not be much of an obstacle. But if what you really want is just something that adds shine, moisture, and a yummy scent, then there are some brilliant alternatives that won’t break the bank.
As a side note, and on the subject of the price, while this mask falls firmly into the ‘ouch’ category you do actually get a lot of product here (250 ml for the full size in fact), making this the biggest hair mask I own.
Great for: Shine, moisture, and a completely addictive scent. Also stocking up, since you’re unlikely to run out of this jumbo tub for some time.
Not-so-great for: Budget buying and very sensitive skin and hair types that can’t tolerate artificial fragrance in their products.
Gisou’s Honey Infused Hair Mask is £22.00 for 75 ml, Gisou UK and $25 for 2.5 oz/ 75 ml, Sephora US
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